Authentic Italian Focaccia Bread

Authentic Italian Focaccia Bread

Experience a bite of Italy with homemade focaccia bread. Crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, this bread is reminiscent of a warm Italian bakery. Infused with olive oil and sprinkled with fresh rosemary, it's perfect as a sandwich bread or savored alone, dipped in a pool of extra virgin olive oil. This heavenly bread will transport you straight to the cobblestone streets of Genoa, where focaccia was born.

Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • Fresh rosemary (1 tablespoon, finely chopped)
  • Coarse sea salt (1 teaspoon)
  • Olive oil (4 tablespoons, divided)
  • All-purpose flour (3 cups)
  • Active dry yeast (1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons))
  • Granulated sugar (1 teaspoon)
  • Warm water (1 1/3 cups (105°f to 115°f))

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water. Sprinkle yeast over the water and let it sit for 5 minutes, or until it becomes frothy.
  2. Stir in all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and the salt until a dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
  4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
  5. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Punch down the dough and press it into a greased 9x13 inch baking sheet.
  6. Using your fingers, make dimples in the dough. Drizzle it with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle it with the chopped rosemary and coarse sea salt.
  7. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown. Let it cool slightly before slicing.

Dietary Information

Servings: 12 • Dish Type: Bread • Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes • Cook Time: 20 minutes • Calories: 180 • Fat: 5g • Carbs: 30g • Protein: 4g • Sodium: 200mg • Sugar: 1g